Saints place Nick Fairley on non-football injury list

The former SEC Defensive Player of the Year (2010) has seen multiple specialists this offseason regarding a heart condition after the team noticed an irregularity in March when he took a physical to sign a new contract.

The 6-foot-4, 308-pound defensive tackle is coming off a career-year in his first season in the Big Easy and re-signed with the Saints this offseason on a four-year, $28 million deal.

Fairley visited a cardiologist last month and since then has been away from OTAs and out of communication with many of his teammates. He racked up 43 tackles, nine for loss, 6.5 sacks and 22 quarterback hits.

However, Payton explained that Fairley's condition had apparently worsened or become more concerning this year.

On June 8, Saints head coach Sean Payton said three heart specialists had evaluated Fairley. ESPN's Adam Schefter tweeted Monday's announcement could put Fairley's National Football League career in jeopardy.

Fairley's heart issue was a cause for concern before he was drafted in 2011. "The second opinion was a little different, and he's. already gotten a third opinion". He will miss this upcoming season. They also have 2nd year DT David Onyemata and 3rd year DT Tyeler Davison.

Fairley joined the Saints last season after being drafted by the Detroit Lions in 2011 and spending a season with the St. Louis Rams.